episode_0017

As the intense gazes of the three were fixed on him, he awkwardly stretched.

In a tone reminiscent of reading a stiff Korean textbook, he muttered.

“Oh, and come to think of it, was today a holiday?”

“Did you not receive any customers until just now?”

“W-Well, just now I was giving special treatment to the building owner…”

“Haha, then you can spare some time for me for a service as well, right?”

“Ugh…! A sudden seizure… I have to take medication regularly due to my illness, but I can’t even keep my mind straight!”

“Oh my, my.”

The woman covered her lips in surprise.

She seemed to be worried for a moment, but then said, “Would his mind come back if the Association issues a search warrant officially?”

“….”

He smirked.

He showed a determination not to back down.

The man who introduced himself as Director Junis.

As soon as he arrived, he made it clear that he had many questions to ask.

Trying to find a way to escape the sudden interrogation, but observing the opponent’s appearance, an image that cannot be escaped is drawn.

A tight appearance that gives off an elite vibe.

An authoritarian attitude as if he had been holding his head high since birth.

An attitude of leisurely observing the situation as if enjoying and pushing me as prey is almost intimidating.

Above all, the two bodyguards are truly formidable.

The two men, who look sturdy with well-trained muscles, are clearly strong.

It is natural for a member of the Hero Association to have such strong bodyguards.

The heavy responsibility of guarding high-ranking officials is usually entrusted to those of A-rank or higher. If he is a director, there is a possibility that he has even brought along S-rank individuals.

“This kind of surprise inspection is unfair…!”

With no way to leave the shop and run away, I had no choice but to reluctantly respond to Junis’s interrogation.

“Come on, relax a bit. I’ll just ask you a few simple questions.”

“W-What questions?”

“Let’s start with a casual conversation.”

Junis, after looking around as if standing was painful, sat down on the massage bed.

Remembering how Hanbyul noona had laid on the bed before, I didn’t forget to pat it before sitting down.

“Alright, first question. What kind of business was Mr. Jiwoo, who retired as a hero at an early age, running here?”

“Uh… he was mainly doing business targeting tired heroes. Right now, he’s only receiving massages, but in the future, he plans to actively introduce saunas and other high-end equipment…”

“Shorten your answer.”

“Uh, he mainly massages heroes.”

When Junis stared at me with charisma, I answered succinctly.

Seemingly satisfied, Junis swung his legs back and forth on the bed as if playing a drum.

“Alright, then second question. Did you get permission from the Association before opening the shop?”

“Eh?! Do I need permission from the Association to open a massage parlor?!”

It seemed like an excessive demand, but he gestured to listen to the end in Korean.

“Of course, it’s usually irrelevant for regular shops.

But if it’s related to heroes, it’s different. Whether you open a restaurant, a martial arts dojo, or a massage parlor for heroes, if heroes enter, it becomes ‘associated’ with our Association. In other words, using the term ‘hero-exclusive’ carelessly can cause trouble.”

“W-Why is that? I’ve never heard of this before.”

“This is a sensitive issue even internationally.”

Rubbing his temples as if in pain, he continued, “Heroes are a huge asset directly related to the country’s security and power. Each person who fights against monsters that may appear at any time is a crucial asset, so any departure is highly sensitive, hence minimizing friction in all areas.”

Therefore, our management department is responsible for managing the daily activities of heroes. Whether it’s using heroes for marketing, holding sales events targeting heroes, or providing meticulous care for heroes, that’s what we specialize in.”

“…Did you really treat me that well?”

“For special treatment, it’s reserved for those of A-rank or higher.”

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

It felt like they were practicing meritocracy by categorizing and discriminating even in their treatment.

I grumbled about not receiving a single token of appreciation despite working at the association for a long time.

“Anyway, just by doing this, it means Eun Jiwoo has committed a serious violation.”

However, now is not the time to dwell on such thoughts.

The situation is not in my favor. As I listened, it felt like things were really going south, so I rolled my eyes frantically.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“If I didn’t know about it, would I be forgiven…?”

“If you’re prepared to confess that in court, then yes.”

My face darkened at the extremely harsh words.

Whether I said anything or not, Junis smiled gleefully at my troubled expression.

With a face that seemed to feed off my misfortune like a witch, she asked another question.

“Now, onto the third question.”

“Oh, there’s more?!”

“Yes, what I’m about to ask is nothing but this.”

I stopped playfully swinging my legs.

Her smiling face turned serious, scanning me as if she were very sensitive, her red lips pursed.

“An extremely inappropriate relationship with a hero has occurred here. Or perhaps such acts have taken place within this building. Eun Jiwoo, do you confess?”

“……………………”

It was the end.

It was a cliff.

As soon as I heard the question, my brain suffered deep damage and came to a halt.

Just for using the term ‘hero-exclusive,’ what would happen if I confessed?

Simply put, if it’s not just inappropriate relations in a massage parlor… but actual prostitution happening in a massage parlor, that alone would be newsworthy.

If a hero who served the public with a righteous image engaged in such inappropriate behavior, it would ruin my reputation forever.

But in my defense, at first, I was blinded by money and acted out of anger because the other party provoked me.

When I think about it, I still don’t know who my first client was, and if they hadn’t made a fuss, the secret would have…!

“Well, that’s a funny story. Who did you hear that from?”

“Yesterday, B-rank hero ‘Tomboy’ was boasting about a very pleasant experience here recently. Just in case, I recorded it as evidence.”

You promised! You promised to keep it a secret, Juri!!!

I realized too late.

That Juri was very cheap with her words.

Of course, I also went along with it, but before, I really had no choice.

Juri had seduced me so desperately, and it had reached an unbearable point.

And it was too much.

I endured the pain of losing weight and didn’t engage in direct intercourse, but this situation was too much.

“Well, do you admit it?”

“….”

But it was too late.

Even if I screamed internally, it was too late.

Desperately, I looked for an escape route.

But the two men stood firm.

If their rank is higher than mine, of course, they would be faster, and if there is evidence in the association, they would know me, but I don’t know their abilities.

In the end,

“Please, don’t tell my parents… And I don’t like beans, so please give me rice instead…”

I extended both hands as a sign of surrender to ease the situation.

Tears streamed down my face as I prepared to be taken away obediently.

“…Haha!”

With that, Junis let out a burst of laughter, wiping away the tears that had gathered in the corners of his eyes.

“Jiwoo, aren’t you quick to admit defeat?”

“But if what you say is true, then I am already…”

“Come now, calm down. I may have interrogated you a bit too harshly due to my professional habits, but it seems I may have scared you too much with this cute face of mine.”

He grabbed my cheeks firmly.

“Oh…?”

At that moment, when my cheeks were pinched, I realized that he had quite a bit of strength.

“Jiwoo, there is still a way to restore your honor.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Well… Oh, you guys can leave now.”

“But Junis-”

“We have been instructed by the chairman to keep an eye on you until the end. But at this age, isn’t being overprotective a bit excessive? Don’t worry unnecessarily and just leave quickly.”

As he finished speaking, the bodyguards walked out without a word, like machines. The curtains were properly closed, leaving Junis and me alone.

When we were alone, Junis lowered his voice to a whisper.

“Now listen carefully.”

“Oh, yes…”

Although it was suddenly informal, it was easy to understand.

I had heard it often enough to become familiar with it.

“If you receive a massage here, your hero abilities will improve. Is that true?”

“What?! Um…”

“Contact with heroes enhances the body’s abilities. If you have awakened such abilities or talents, you could become a valuable asset to the Hero Association. If there are such effects, we could willingly cooperate and even actively encourage the use of this healing center.”

My ears perked up at the thought of such a significant effect.

But I couldn’t bring myself to say yes.

Recently, Juri had raised similar doubts, but there was still no evidence to support such claims. I had never heard of or seen such abilities.

“Receiving a massage and getting stronger… it doesn’t make sense!”

I muttered to myself in frustration.

But if I were to deny it, I would be shut down and put in danger.

Of course, there was one way, but that was…

“Enough with the speculation. You’ll understand once you experience it firsthand.”

“Huh?”

As I carefully chose my words while my cheeks were being pinched, Junis removed his hand from my face.

He was not one to wait leisurely; his actions were always swift.

As soon as he finished speaking, he unbuttoned his fur coat, letting it fall off his shoulders.

Without stopping there, he pulled down his turtleneck sweater as if shedding a layer of skin.

It was all done in an instant.

Junis stood there, prepared, revealing only his black underwear.

He took a step forward.

He was an adult.

That was the immediate impression he gave off.

Even though I was undoubtedly an adult, seeing Junis made me feel even more like a child.

Expensive-looking underwear and a perfectly flat stomach that stretched vertically.

Beyond mere beauty, it was a kind of elegance that could only be described as natural. His body, tall and well-maintained, was truly beautiful.

I couldn’t help but admire his perfect female form.

And with just one word added:

“It’s right next to the dressing room, there’s no need to…”

“Oh.”